Defence & Security Contractors — Pay European Suppliers Faster, Cheaper
Import defence equipment, security systems, and military supplies (licensed). And your bank makes it worse — 3-day settlements, 2-4% hidden FX spreads, and zero visibility into what your payments actually cost.
We built payment infrastructure for defence & security contractors businesses. 0.5% spreads. Same-day EUR settlement. Free container tracking.
Get a Quote for Your Next European PaymentDefence & Security Contractors margins are too thin to donate 2-4% to your bank on every supplier payment.
Before we show you a single number, know this: we are regulated, audited, and transparent. Our pricing is published. Our client funds are segregated. These aren't marketing claims — they're regulatory requirements we meet daily.
These aren't marketing claims — they're regulatory requirements we meet daily.
Save £1,520 per £100k Payment
Typical savings for Defence & Security Contractors paying European Union suppliers
- ❌ 2-3 day settlement
- ❌ Hidden FX margins
- ❌ High correspondent bank fees
- ❌ Manual compliance checks
- ✓ Settles in seconds — 2.3 second average
- ✓ Transparent pricing
- ✓ SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) available
- ✓ 0.14s automated compliance
At £500k-£20M monthly volume, save £18,240/year
What Challenges Do Defence & Security Contractors Businesses Face Paying European Union?
Industry Pain Points
- Export license requirements
- Stringent compliance (ITAR, EAR)
- Long procurement cycles
- Classified requirements
Country-Specific Considerations
- VAT (Value Added Tax) varies by EU country
- Intra-EU vs extra-EU customs differences
- GDPR compliance for customer data
- EU sanctions regime (separate from UN/US)
How Do Defence & Security Contractors Businesses Typically Pay European Suppliers?
Fast Settlement: Settles in seconds — 2.3 second average
Use SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) for instant EUR settlement. Pan-European low-cost payment system
Real-Time FX Exposure Tracking
Upload supplier invoices as PDFs. Our AI OCR extracts amounts and currencies. See exactly what waiting costs you in real-time. Lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a good rate.
0.14s Compliance Screening
Automated compliance checks for European Union regulations. VAT (Value Added Tax) varies by EU country handled automatically.
How Defence & Security Contractors Businesses Typically Pay European Suppliers
If you're importing in this sector, you're likely dealing with a mix of payment terms. Here's how they work — and why speed matters.
⏱ Payment Timing
Contract milestones over multi-year periods. Government payment terms: Net 60-90.
📄 Invoice Terms
Milestones per contract, Net 60-90 government, progress payments.
Government budget cycles. Multi-year contracts. Milestone-based. Long payment terms.
📊 FX Risk Profile
HIGH: USD (US defence), multi-year contracts. Large values. Government contracts may have FX clauses.
Strategic partnerships. Security-vetted supply chains. Long-term relationships. Prime/subcontractor structures.
Common Documentation for Defence & Security Contractors
- Export License
- End-User Certificate
- Security Classification
- Contract Documentation
- Compliance Declaration
Popular European Union Supplier Types for Defence & Security Contractors
Common European Union Suppliers
- German machinery manufacturers
- French food & beverage suppliers
- Italian textile/fashion
- Netherlands freight forwarders (Rotterdam)
Payment Tips for European Union
- Use SEPA for €1-999,999 payments (very low cost)
- Target2 for large/urgent payments
- Post-Brexit customs documentation required for UK-EU
- EUR volatility lower than GBP - good for budgeting
Frequently Asked Questions: Defence & Security Contractors Payments to European Union
How do Defence & Security Contractors businesses pay suppliers in European Union?
Defence & Security Contractors businesses can pay European Union suppliers instantly using Unicorn Currencies. We offer a 0.5% FX spread with 2.3-second average settlement using local payment rails like SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area). This is significantly faster and cheaper than traditional SWIFT transfers which take 2-3 days.
What banking details do I need for European Union Defence & Security Contractors suppliers?
To pay Defence & Security Contractors suppliers in European Union, you need the recipient's IBAN + BIC (International Bank Account Number), account number, and beneficiary name. Our platform validates these details automatically to ensure successful payment delivery.
How much can Defence & Security Contractors businesses save on European Union payments?
Defence & Security Contractors businesses typically save 75% compared to traditional banks when paying European Union suppliers. On a £100k transaction, that's £1,520 in savings. With Unicorn Currencies, you pay just 0.5% FX spread + £5 per payment vs banks charging 2% spread + £25 fees.
Is container tracking available for Defence & Security Contractors shipments from European Union?
Yes, Unicorn Currencies offers FREE container tracking for Defence & Security Contractors shipments from European Union. You receive real-time visibility into your cargo, including demurrage alerts to help avoid costly port storage fees. This feature is included at no extra cost with your payment account.
What currencies do Defence & Security Contractors businesses typically use with European Union?
Defence & Security Contractors businesses typically convert GBP to EUR when paying European Union suppliers. Unicorn Currencies provides live exchange rates with a transparent 0.5% spread, and you can lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a favorable rate. Our AI-powered invoice OCR can automatically extract amounts and currencies from supplier invoices.
Ready to Pay European Union Suppliers 75% Cheaper?
Join Defence & Security Contractors businesses saving £1,520 per £100k payment with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network).
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